FR2756506A1 - WORKPLACE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a mounting and/or assembling station, used by an operator for carrying out predetermined repetitive tasks during the manufacture of a product, and for improving the productivity and the comfort of the operator. The mounting and/or assembling station (1') is characterised in that it comprises a working area (2) of three-dimensional structure with several storing, supporting and transferring zones associated with working zones, said zones being defined by the skew surfaces delimiting variable integrated volumes enabling the operator to carry out various functional tasks, such as machining, controlling or the like. Said storing, supporting and transferring zones are optimally arranged relative to the working zones for reducing the distance to cover between the different zones and the time taken for carrying out the functional tasks.

Description

I

WORKPLACE

  The present invention relates to a workstation, used in particular for performing one or more repetitive tasks determined by an operator during the manufacture of a product manufactured from several components, comprising at least one

chassis and a work area.

  To date, the workstations traditionally used, for example in line work facilities, are poorly developed. They generally consist of a flat table, mounted on a chassis and on which are simply stored the various equipment necessary for the operator to perform his operational tasks

  assembly, machining, inspection or the like.

  With such a type of workstation, the operator can, for example, easily lose his tools, which can possibly slip under not yet assembled components of the product to be manufactured. It therefore loses a lot of time looking for

missing elements.

  On the other hand, the operator must generally carry out operating tasks which are repetitive. As the different elements handled by the operator are simply placed on his work table in no specific order, the operator will perform and repeat gestures relating to the execution of his tasks which will often be in an inconsistent order

  and most of the time uncomfortable and unnecessary.

  The operator will therefore tire quickly and suffer from muscle pain related to

  poor positioning and repetition of bad attitudes.

  In addition, traditional workstations do not have operator protection that is particularly suitable against the various motorized bodies that it may be.

- brought to use.

  As a result, the use of traditional workstations is a cause

  accidents and poor performance in assembly line facilities.

  The present invention seeks to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a work station which makes it possible to ideally integrate all the elements (constituents of the product to be manufactured, accessories, tools, apparatus, etc.) necessary for the operator to perform his repetitive operational tasks so that work is made easier and that the operator's performance, safety and comfort are improved. For this purpose, the invention relates to a workstation of the kind indicated in the preamble, characterized in that said work area is three-dimensional and comprises several work areas which respectively constitute integrated means allowing the operator to perform different operational tasks d '' assembly, machining, control or the like, said working areas having variable volumes, and in that said working areas are arranged in an optimized manner to reduce the distances to be covered and therefore the time taken in the execution of said operational tasks. In particular, said volumes of the work areas vary according to said means

  components, components handled and the product to be manufactured.

  Many variations are possible depending on the product to be manufactured and the operations to be performed. According to these variants, at least one of said working areas can constitute: - a means of storing components manipulated by the operator to manufacture said product, - a means of supplying, positioning, maintaining or removing components, a means of evacuating waste or the manufactured product, - a means of supporting apparatuses, accessories or apparatus control devices used by the operator to carry out his operational tasks, - a means of supporting display devices for carrying out controls during manufacture, - a means of improving the operator's gestures when he performs his operational tasks,

  - a means of storing the operator's personal belongings.

  In addition, the shape of said three-dimensional work area is designed to protect

  the operator against motorized parts and therefore to improve his safety.

  In addition, when certain operations can be automated, the work station according to the present invention comprises an automation zone isolated from the area of

  work, thus ensuring perfect safety.

  In a particularly advantageous manner, the chassis of the work station can be arranged to improve revolution of the operator's lower limbs so as to

enhance comfort.

  The present invention and its advantages will appear better in the following description

  of three exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the work station according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the workstation according to the invention, and - Figure 3 is a top view of a third embodiment of the workstation

according to the invention.

  With reference to FIG. 1, the work station 1 according to the invention comprises a work area 2 and a chassis 3. In this first embodiment, the work station 1 is designed only for carrying out manual operations during the manufacture of a product from several components. Said working area 2 is three-dimensional and has substantially the shape of a polygon with five non-equal sides. It includes several work areas 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 which each constitute - means integrated into the work area 2 to allow the operator to perform different operational tasks depending on the product to be manufactured. The volumes or shapes of these work areas vary in particular depending on the components handled and the

product to be manufactured.

  More specifically, the working area 5 constitutes a means of storing components.

  It has a three-dimensional parallelepiped shape capable of receiving a tray 6 of corresponding shape for the storage of components (not shown) which will be handled by the operator. It is obvious that the shape of the working area 5 can vary depending on many parameters, such as the size and shape of the components, the filling or emptying needs, the frequency of handling, the packaging or the gravity behavior of the components. components. Whatever the parameters, the shape of zone 5 is designed to optimize the storage of components.

  The working area 7 constitutes a means of supplying components (not shown).

  Its shape may vary in particular depending on the gripping frequencies, the size and shape of the components, the distances and the constraints of the removals. This three-dimensional shape is studied so that the components are brought into a

  ideal position and orientation for gripping by operator.

  The working area 8 constitutes a means of positioning a component 4. Its shape depends in particular on the shape of the component. In the case shown, the zone 8 has the complementary shape of the component 4 to be positioned. It also presents a

  rim 9 which will facilitate the positioning of component 4 in said zone 8.

  The working area 10 has the form of a protrusion adjacent to the positioning area 8 and constitutes a means of holding the component 4. It is quite obvious that the shape of the holding area 10 varies according to the stresses applied to the component to maintain, the shape of the component, and breathe

  free left for the evolution of the fingers and upper limbs of the operator.

  The working area 11 constitutes a means of gripping, positioning and holding tools or accessories (not shown) necessary for the operations to be carried out. In this embodiment, the working area 11 has a hollow shape

  substantially cylindrical which can be adapted to receive clamps, for example.

  This shape can also vary depending on the shape of the accessories which can be a screwdriver, hammer, pad, etc. The zones 8, 10 and 11 which constitute positioning and / or holding means have different shapes which depend on the holding mode chosen. Indeed, the maintenance of the components or other accessories can be ensured in several ways, namely for example by negative form (imprint or counter-form), by gravity, by manual or motorized lock, by suction cup with a vacuum connection, by collet, by electromagnet, by adhesive substances, etc. The method of maintenance chosen essentially depends on the shape, dimensions and material of the component to be maintained. It also varies depending on the approach trajectory of the component to be maintained, the reintegration of the devices and tools present on the post

  of work, and minimization of movement of components.

  Depending on the components, it may be necessary to provide positioning and / or holding means with multiple positions. These can be obtained with linear and / or rotary transfer systems, manual or motorized indexing systems with possibly sensors for detection

positions.

  The different work zones 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 are arranged on the work area 2 in an optimized manner to reduce the distances to be covered and the time taken in the execution of the operational tasks. For example, zone 7 for bringing back components is arranged according to the possibilities of human gestures to obtain an ideal, rapid and comfortable trajectory towards the drop-off points. Likewise, the area 8 for positioning the component 4 is arranged to have an ideal trajectory between a gripping point and the holding area. Zone 11 for tools or accessories is arranged according to the frequencies of their gripping and

  possibilities of human gestures.

  Similarly, raire de travail presents itself an appropriate shape with rounded angles, without lost or poorly occupied area. It is made in one piece - fixedly mounted on the chassis 3. it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that working can be done in several pieces, that it can be dismantled or can be rotated around of articulations or in translation on slides. The work surface is continuous and has no sharp edges, level differences or holes. The different work areas are arranged to take into account each operation, each component, each tool, each movement so as to integrate optimally into the shape of

  work 2 everything to be used on workstation 1.

  Thus, thanks to the optimization of occupancy of the volume accessible by the upper limbs of the operator and to the shapes adapted to the operations to be carried out and to the products to be produced, better productivity and increased working comfort are obtained. In addition, the optimal arrangement of the different work areas makes it possible to limit the risks of musculoskeletal disorders, thanks to the ideal positioning of each

gripping and each removal.

  In a particularly advantageous manner, the chassis 3 is also arranged to improve revolution of the operator's lower limbs. It includes feet 24 of fixed height, regularly distributed to allow the operator's legs to

  move freely under the workstation.

  Work area 2 can be made of many materials, such as synthetics, composites, steel, aluminum, wood, concrete, etc. The choice of material depends on qualitative, technical and economic constraints. The material chosen substantially imposes the manufacturing process used, which can be molding, thermoforming, rework or any other process known to those skilled in the art. In all cases, the process must in no way limit the definition of shapes. A second, more complex embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. In this case, the work station 1 ′ according to the invention is designed for manual and automated operations. To this end, the work station 1 ′ comprises, in addition to working space 2 ′ and the chassis 3 ′, an automation zone 12 disposed on said chassis 3 ′. The working area 2 ′ - has a surface of substantially rectangular shape inclined downwards and the highest side of which rests on said automation zone 12. Thus, thanks to this arrangement in respace, the different zones of scheduled work

  2 'are located at different heights adapted to the operational tasks to be performed.

  The work area 2 'includes a number of work areas 5', 7 ', 10' and 11 'which perform the same functions as areas 5, 7, 10 and 11 of the first variant. It also includes work areas which constitute new means according to the tasks to be carried out which are different from those provided for the production of FIG. 1. The work area 13 constitutes a means of evacuating components or scrap (not shown) that form during the manufacturing process. It can also be used to evacuate the finished product (not shown) in a container or to other workstations. The shape of zone 13 depends on the product to be evacuated and the

  mode of evacuation which can be done by gravity or by removal.

  The working area 14 constitutes a means of supporting the device 15 control device 16. This device is located within the operator's hands and outside the automation area. It is standard or specific to the task to be performed. It may consist of a screwdriver, a riveter, a drill, or any other device known per se and used to provide the operator with additional aids. The apparatus 16 is activated by a push button integrated into the control device 15. It is obvious that the push button can be replaced for any other control device known per se, such as a joystick, a keyboard, a switch, etc. The shape of the zone 14 is of course adapted to the control device chosen so that it is always easily accessible by operator without movement other than that of the upper limbs. On the other hand, the control device 15 can also actuate an automated member placed in the automation zone 12, a

  safety device or the switching on or off of the workstation 1 '.

  The working area 17 constitutes a means of supporting a display device 18,

  used to display the results of checks or measurements carried out by the operator.

  The shape of the area 17 is adapted to the display device 18 used, which can be - a screen, a counter, etc. The work area 19 constitutes a means of improving the operator's gestures when he performs his tasks. The shape of said zone 19 is designed to constitute a forearm support, on which the operator can also rest to reduce his fatigue. We can also provide a form of armrest, hand guide or

a stop.

  The work area 20 constitutes a means of storing the personal belongings (not shown) of the operator. The latter can place various objects there, such as keys, a goblet, a cigarette, his glasses or his helmet. The shape of said zone 20 is

  of course adapted according to the object or objects to be stored.

  The work area may also include other zones 21 which constitute reserved locations in the event of possible changes in the product to be handled or

  to standardize the work area in relation to different product variants.

  As for the embodiment of FIG. 1, the zones provided on the work area 2 ′ are ordered so as to reduce the operator's movements to improve his

performance and comfort.

  In addition, the inclined shape of the working area 2 ′ also allows it to constitute a means of protecting the operator against motorized members 22 which are placed under it, outside the automation zone 12. The volume of the area of work 2 is then

  adapted to the dimensions of these bodies.

  The automation zone 12 is used to isolate automated stations (not shown) for automated operations complementary to those performed by the operator, such as crimping, soldering, bonding, screwing, automatic removal, heat treatments or surfaces, etc. The automation zone 12 is arranged to be in perfect relation with the operator. It is covered by a protective cover 23 which makes it possible to isolate the automated stations from the area

  operator evolution and to protect him when he is installed at his station.

  In addition, the cover 23 is arranged so as to present an optimized access for

  - maintenance, upkeep and troubleshooting operations from the rear of the station.

  The automation zone 12 also includes all the elements necessary for the operation of the automated stations, such as control cabinets, programmable controllers, the corresponding wiring, etc. As for the chassis 3 ′, it constitutes the assembly carrying structure. It includes feet 24 ′ and a base plate 25 on which are fixed all the components of the automation zone 12 and its protective cover 23, as well as working raire 2 ′. It can also have a bracket (not shown) to support various tools, an ambient lighting device or instruction sheets. Certain tools, additional accessories such as evacuation chutes, or storage furniture (not shown), can also be fixed to the chassis 3 ′. In addition, it is arranged to present an area for the development of the lower limbs of the operator. To do this, the feet 24 'are adjustable in height, they are connected by a crosspiece 26 on which is fixed a footrest 27 in the case where the posture of

  the operator is of the sit or sit-stand type.

  The workstation according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 3 can be integrated into an assembly line. The work area 2 "has a substantially curved shape and is arranged above a conveyor belt 30 which provides regular transport of components to be handled to the work station 1". The 2 "work area therefore ensures

  at the same time a function of operator protection against the conveyor belt 30.

  The components pass under the 2 "work area and are then brought into a cut-out area 31 where they are accessible to be controlled by a control device 32. It is of course possible to provide another type of device for performing another task As for the other embodiments, the work area 2 "includes work areas providing different functions to allow an operator 50 to perform the different operational tasks. The work areas shown here have the same references as the work areas with the same function shown in Figures 1 and 2. They will therefore not be described again. The shape of each zone naturally depends on the components to be handled and the operating tasks. Their arrangement, in accordance with the present invention, is designed to reduce movement and

  - operator fatigue and to improve performance and comfort.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art. The workstation according to the invention can be produced in an unlimited number of variants depending on the combination of the work areas, the types of operations to be performed and the types

of manufactured products.

Claims (15)

Claims   1. Workstation (1, 1 ', 1 "), used in particular to perform one or more repetitive tasks determined by an operator during the manufacture of a product manufactured from several components, comprising at least one chassis (3 , 3 ', 3 ") and a work area (2, 2', 2"), characterized in that said work area (2, 2 ', 2 ") is three-dimensional and comprises several work areas which respectively constitute integrated means allowing the operator to carry out different operational tasks of assembly, machining, control or the like, said work areas having variable volumes, and in that said work areas are arranged in an optimized manner for reduce the distances to be covered and therefore the time   put in the execution of said operational tasks.   2. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that said volumes of the work areas vary depending on the components handled and the product to be manufactured. 3. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said working areas (5, 5 ', 5 ") constitutes a means of storing manipulated components   by the operator to manufacture said product.   4. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said   work areas (7, 7 ', 7 ") are a means of supplying components.   5. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said   work areas (8) is a means of positioning components.   6. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said   work areas (10, 10 ') is a means of holding components.   - 7. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said working areas (13, 13 ') constitutes a means for removing components, scrap or manufactured product.   8. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said work areas (14) constitutes a means of supporting devices used by operator   to perform its operational tasks.   9. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said working areas (11, 11 ') constitutes an accessory support means used by   operator to perform operational tasks.   10. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said working areas (14, 14 ') constitutes a means for supporting control devices (15, 15') of devices used by the operator to perform his operational tasks. 11. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said work areas (17, 17 ') constitutes a means of supporting apparatus for   display (18, 18 ') for carrying out checks during manufacture.   12. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said work areas (19, 19 ') constitutes a means of improving the gesture of   the operator when he performs his operational tasks.   13. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said work areas (20, 20 ') constitutes a business storage means operator's personal information.   14. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of said three-dimensional work area (2, 2 ', 2 ") is designed to protect the operator against motorized members (22).   - 15. Workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises   an automation zone (12) isolated from the work area.